10 Things I've Learned from Teaching

Hey yall!

 

I'm having myself a super lazy Sunday...still in the PJs at 5:00 pm!

Linky parties are perfect for these kinds of days, so I'm linking up with sweet Hadar!

 

 

I am going into my 4th year of teaching, and boy have I learned a lot since that first year!

 

1. Enthusiasm is key in education. Be excited in whatever you are doing and your kiddos will be excited, too! Don't ever let them know that you may not particularly love a certain subject or topic. Act like everything they are learning is SUPER COOL!

 

2. Kids need to be listened to. Even though they sometimes say things that make no sense or are completely off topic, they still need to be heard. Take a few minutes each day to just listen to what your kiddos are saying....I promise, you will learn so much!

 

3. It's okay to not be the perfect teacher. Sometimes when I read all the amazing blogs and wonderful things everyone seems to be doing, I feel like I am letting down my own students. But then I remember that I am only human and cannot do it all. And you know what? That's okay. As long as my kiddos are learning, I'm doing the right thing.

 

4. Take time for yourself. Seriously. Don't always bring home papers that need to be graded, or journals that need to be read, or lesson plans that need to be written. You will get burnt out if you don't allow yourself time to de-stress and unwind. Carve out even just 1-2 hours a week where you don't do anything school related, and relax :)

 

5. You are not going to like every student. Yes, I know this sounds harsh, but I wouldn't be keeping it real if I said otherwise. Sometimes you may come across a child who you just don't like. But, with that being said, you still love and care for the well-being of that child, because you would be failing them if you didn't.

 

6. Co-workers and co-teachers can be your saving grace. Talk to them, listen to their advice, and seek them out when you have a problem. They have been in your shoes and know exactly what you are feeling. Find some teaching buddies...stat!

 

7. Being a teacher involves the whole family. My poor hubs (and parents, friends, in-laws, etc) knows this firsthand. He is constantly helping me out, whether with grading papers, cutting out laminate, or even dressing as a leprechaun for our St. Patrick's dance.

 

 

8. Society thinks of teachers in one of two ways: they either have the utmost respect and adoration for them OR they think they are a complete joke. Thankfully, I find most people subscribe to the first philosophy, but there are definitely those out there that think teachers are idiots who have the world's easiest job and should be thankful to have the summer off.

 I cringe every time I see something like this...

 

because anyone who knows a teacher knows that this is complete BS.

 

9. Teaching involves saying the same thing over...and over...and over again. Then saying it again in a different way. Then again in another way. Whatever it takes :)

 

10. Teaching is FUN! I love getting 30 hugs a day, reading to a group of eager listeners, receiving homemade notes and pictures full of love, and seeing the look on a kiddos face when they just get it. That look makes it all worth it :)

 

I could seriously go on and on....but instead, I'm going to go read what everyone else has learned. Head on over to Miss Kindergarten and read along with me!